Wet on Wet

Still practicing wet on wet techniques.  Another lesson from Hilary Page (see a previous post.) This turned out much better, I think.  I wish I would have taken pictures all along the way, but I didn't think of it in time. I first clear water wet the space for a particular color. I then dropped in the color and let it spread at will.  I did this for each separate color.  This left the flowers and leaves undefined. After it was dry , the finish was to define the petals and stems with a dry brush technique.  hmmm  . . . . I wonder if hubby thinks this one is unfinished, since I didn't use a wash on the background???

Practice for Autumn

 

Studying watercolor techniques this week: Review

These two little paintings are an exercise from the book Watercolor Right from the Start by Hilary Page. 

 This was lesson two on Understanding the Color Wheel. I really wasn't that interested in the color wheel discussion, mostly the technique of wet on wet.  Although my finish pieces are not exactly like the authors, I did learn a thing or two.  My pieces turned out with water marks more than I would have liked, instead of a blending of the colors in soft lines. I had the most trouble with the purple background.  Although I like the finished product on the right, my hubby liked the one on the left.  He was not used to the concept of the white space.  He's a kind of "Love the finished product" kinda guy, and felt that one was unfinished.  I think the one on the left looks "muddy" because of an allover wash that I used and didn't like, whereas the one on the right has more contrast and is different.  I like different!

Love to hear your opinion, especially since this is just practice!